Imagine - health equity; Release pension data

If health disparities were overcome in Central New York, it would mean:

300 fewer asthma-related hospitalizations of children in Syracuse each year.
500 more primary care doctors, dentists and mental health providers in rural areas.
365 percent fewer leg amputations among black seniors.
9,600 more years of life in areas where premature death rates exceed the regional average.

Source: The Community Health Foundation of Western and Central New York.

Release pension data

A bill pending in the state Senate (S-7598) would remedy an appeals court decision that shields public employee pension data from the state’s Freedom of Information Law.

The court wrongly interpreted current law to preclude access to the names of retirees who receive pension benefits through the New York City Police Pension Fund — information that until now has been open to scrutiny by taxpayers and the media. Now other public employee pension systems are following suit, endangering the public’s ability to monitor how their money is being spent.

The bill clarifies the definition of “retiree” and “beneficiary,” and reaffirms the Legislature’s intent that pension information about retirees should be disclosed in response to a FOIL request, while their beneficiaries remain exempt from disclosure.

The bill passed the Assembly unanimously. The Senate should follow suit.